First Chemo Treatment was yesterday

ThankGodforfaith

MyTurnNow said:

Hi, Sam. Just wanted to
Hi, Sam. Just wanted to welcome you to the boards. I am currently going through my chemo which is taxotere and cytoxan. I have completed 2 treatments and have 2 to go. Then, it's on to rads. Good luck to you as you begin your journey!

chemo and rads
Good morning to all of you:
I also had adrimyacyn and cytoxan for 4 treatments every two weeks. This one was the hardest one on my body and mind. Lost my hair which was harder than I thought it would be. You know how a person thinbks "I'm not that vane" well WRONG. I did journal and that helped. Mostly you need to grieve and that's ok. Make sure you get something to cover your head especially at night. It gets cold and I would feel it down my neck when my hair was. That is when I would wrap up in the scarf. I did have a lot of nausea but was helped by meds and my doctor kept me in the hospital the first night of treatment to flush me out and control nausea. The 3rd treatment of A/C I had some difficulty with my thoughts but not like chemo brain. I got very depressed and impatient which depression has been controlled by my meds before treatment and I am opposite of impatient. I actually wrote a letter to myself to get through the next and last A/C treatment.

The two weeks after A/C I started Taxal and Herceptin weekly for 12 weeks. This was better for me that the A/C. About in the middle of treatments I did start to get the achy bones after the 3rd day. My finger and toe nails did lift up. It is an easy time to get an infection so wear gloves if you have your hands in any water for cleaning/dishes. After taxal I started to get Herceptin every three weeks and started radiation early November 08. This was a piece of cake compared to everything else I went through. Just fatigue. I just finished my Herceptin on July 13,2009. So I am on the wait and see plan. Please know that chemo brain is real and it does go away. Sometimes you can't think of a the name of something...my first time was calling a geranium a zuchinni.

Well take care and I will be checking in on all of you as I am new to this sight as well. For those of you who are HER 2 positive there is a HER2.com page and for you and everyone else there is a Cancer Compass Weekly where they send you articles on research for your kind of cancer. Take care all.
Deb C.

Sam726

Cat64 said:

Hi Sam!
Welcome to the Board! Your story is very similiar to mine. I too am tired of all these tests and appointments and am ready to move on! I was just diagnosed 8/11. Tuesday I meet with the surgeon to discuss putting in a port(which I am not thrilled with, but gotta do what I gotta do) to start Chemo. I will be on the same "cocktail" as yours so keep me posted on how you are doing with it. Tired is normal and glad your are not nauseated! What a blessing that they have meds now to help with that! Anyway,just think that after every chemo treatment you are one step closer to recovery & survival!
Prayers & Hugz,
Cathy

Hi Cathy
Good luck to you and keep me posted on what you are going thru..it will be interesting to hear what your effects are since we are going to be on same meds. I tried going back to work today and it was hard. I am used to being the strong, sharp one of the group and I found myself trying to remember what I am doing. Brain feels like mush and feels fried. I had to leave half way through the day. I couldnt handle that feeling..tomorrow is a new day and hopefully it will be better. Good luck to you...and dont sweat the port. Its no biggie and no one will even notice!!

Cat64

Sam726 said:

Hi Cathy
Good luck to you and keep me posted on what you are going thru..it will be interesting to hear what your effects are since we are going to be on same meds. I tried going back to work today and it was hard. I am used to being the strong, sharp one of the group and I found myself trying to remember what I am doing. Brain feels like mush and feels fried. I had to leave half way through the day. I couldnt handle that feeling..tomorrow is a new day and hopefully it will be better. Good luck to you...and dont sweat the port. Its no biggie and no one will even notice!!

Thank you!
I will definetely let ya know how it goes on my end of chemo. I'm sorry to hear your first time was so tough and you had to leave work. That must be the "chemo brain" all these ladies have been talking about. Geez, I'm already getting forgetful as with age & find myself writing things down alot more, so I guess I better get some more paper! Yes, today is a new day & I hope each day after your chemo it gets easier to tolerate. Make sure you drink lots of liquids! Flush it out!
Today I meet with the surgeon & believe me I'm trying not to sweat it! Hopefully, he can put my mind at ease about that darn thing! I have my list of ?'s all ready!
Keep me posted!
Hugz,
Cathy

Sam726

Cat64 said:

Thank you!
I will definetely let ya know how it goes on my end of chemo. I'm sorry to hear your first time was so tough and you had to leave work. That must be the "chemo brain" all these ladies have been talking about. Geez, I'm already getting forgetful as with age & find myself writing things down alot more, so I guess I better get some more paper! Yes, today is a new day & I hope each day after your chemo it gets easier to tolerate. Make sure you drink lots of liquids! Flush it out!
Today I meet with the surgeon & believe me I'm trying not to sweat it! Hopefully, he can put my mind at ease about that darn thing! I have my list of ?'s all ready!
Keep me posted!
Hugz,
Cathy

Stay Strong
Good luck with your surgeon today....the port is just a minor step to recovery. Do you know when you start your chemo? Make sure you are taking good notes, start a journal, or have someone with you. I always find that I forget everything once I walk out the doctors door. Now it is even worse that I am on meds..a/k/a chemo brain!! Good luck!!

Cat64

Sam726 said:

Stay Strong
Good luck with your surgeon today....the port is just a minor step to recovery. Do you know when you start your chemo? Make sure you are taking good notes, start a journal, or have someone with you. I always find that I forget everything once I walk out the doctors door. Now it is even worse that I am on meds..a/k/a chemo brain!! Good luck!!

Strong I am
For everyone else! I'm adjusting to trying to be strong for "ME"! It went well with the surgeon. He pulled out a port to show me. It was no where near what I had seen or expected. He explained the procedure, told me what to expect, what to watch for, etc...He even draws pictures which helps. I go in Monday a.m. Have no idea when I will be starting Chemo. Not sure if it will be next week or the week to follow. My hubby is having surgery on the 1st so I have to coordinate all this. I always have him with me, he is my backup when I forget or don't write down what the doctors say. I really need to find my tape recorder! So, for now I am less stressed about the port. Thanks for your help and encouragement! I really appreciate it! Did you make it through work today? Feeling any better on Day 2?
Hugz,
Cathy

MCJ

Are you having chemo before
Are you having chemo before surgery?
We will be taking taxatere, adriamycin, and cyclophosphimide.
Wherre are you from?

MCJ

Hi I just read my answer
Hi I just read my answer about treatment before surgery.
Good Luck

Sam726

Cat64 said:

Strong I am
For everyone else! I'm adjusting to trying to be strong for "ME"! It went well with the surgeon. He pulled out a port to show me. It was no where near what I had seen or expected. He explained the procedure, told me what to expect, what to watch for, etc...He even draws pictures which helps. I go in Monday a.m. Have no idea when I will be starting Chemo. Not sure if it will be next week or the week to follow. My hubby is having surgery on the 1st so I have to coordinate all this. I always have him with me, he is my backup when I forget or don't write down what the doctors say. I really need to find my tape recorder! So, for now I am less stressed about the port. Thanks for your help and encouragement! I really appreciate it! Did you make it through work today? Feeling any better on Day 2?
Hugz,
Cathy

Good to hear CrazyCat
It is great to hear your husband is so supportive, as he should be. Im single mom, 33, no boyfriend or husband but have had the greatest friends and family I could ask for. I could NOT do this without them. They are fighting over who gets to take me to chemo!! Go figure!! Im glad your surgeon put your mind at ease...it is a cake walk, really. I did not go to work Tuesday, I went wig shopping..and laughed hysterically! Headed to work today..I feel great. Just taking it one day at a time. This is my new motto. Keep in touch Cathy.

Cat64

Sam726 said:

Good to hear CrazyCat
It is great to hear your husband is so supportive, as he should be. Im single mom, 33, no boyfriend or husband but have had the greatest friends and family I could ask for. I could NOT do this without them. They are fighting over who gets to take me to chemo!! Go figure!! Im glad your surgeon put your mind at ease...it is a cake walk, really. I did not go to work Tuesday, I went wig shopping..and laughed hysterically! Headed to work today..I feel great. Just taking it one day at a time. This is my new motto. Keep in touch Cathy.

He Wasn't
always this way! But, greatful he is now while it's so important. He's pretty much all I have, my family is in Indiana and my children are BRATS!(24,18,13) How many kids? Ages? That's awesome that you have such a great support team! It sure helps! How much Chemo are you doing? They can take turns! How loved you must feel though! I don't have many friends, my B/F died almost 5 years ago & I have just pretty much kept to myself since.
Glad you traded work for a day of laughter. I've thought about getting one of each color just to spice things up. I have a rainbow clown wig around here somewhere I may utilize! Can you imagine? One day at a time is a good motto to have throughout this process.
Have a great day at work!
k.i.t.2
Cathy

Sam726

Cat64 said:

He Wasn't
always this way! But, greatful he is now while it's so important. He's pretty much all I have, my family is in Indiana and my children are BRATS!(24,18,13) How many kids? Ages? That's awesome that you have such a great support team! It sure helps! How much Chemo are you doing? They can take turns! How loved you must feel though! I don't have many friends, my B/F died almost 5 years ago & I have just pretty much kept to myself since.
Glad you traded work for a day of laughter. I've thought about getting one of each color just to spice things up. I have a rainbow clown wig around here somewhere I may utilize! Can you imagine? One day at a time is a good motto to have throughout this process.
Have a great day at work!
k.i.t.2
Cathy

Clown wig..LOL
Yes, I too have thought about gettin the bozo the clown wig out for my meetings at the bank! If you can't laugh at yourself, who can u laugh at right? I think laughter will get us through this..and my friends are good for that. They have definitely been there for me and I love them for that. I have one boy, 9 years old...how did you handle telling your kids? It broke my heart to tell my son. Of course he asked, " r u gonna die?" I mean, how do you answer that?
Im sorry to hear your friends are limited but dont shelter yourself..get out there and enjoy your life girl. We only live once..keep in touch and if you want to trade emails let me know...

PS. 6 treatments..LOL, forgot to answer that one. CHEMO BRAIN AGAIN..

elm3544

Good luck to you! I hope
Good luck to you! I hope your side effects are minimal and tolerable! I finished my chemo on Sept. 8th.

Katz77

Welcome Sam
Like yourself I'm new. I " hung" around CSN 4 a couple of wks and finally joined. I love it. Advice and helpful hints on everything. I am on my 2nd round of Taxol/Herceptin cocktails w 3 left. I never really had nausea, but a full gut kind of feel. I drink lots of gatorade, mainly bc I have other issues w low blood pressure. I degriss. I had "chemo" brain before chemo, I don't know what's going to happen w my brain cell now! Welcome and good luck w what I call " finding chemo". I'm bald, but I kind of like it. Less work and shampoo. lol Happy trails to you and ur family.

Cat64

Sam726 said:

Clown wig..LOL
Yes, I too have thought about gettin the bozo the clown wig out for my meetings at the bank! If you can't laugh at yourself, who can u laugh at right? I think laughter will get us through this..and my friends are good for that. They have definitely been there for me and I love them for that. I have one boy, 9 years old...how did you handle telling your kids? It broke my heart to tell my son. Of course he asked, " r u gonna die?" I mean, how do you answer that?
Im sorry to hear your friends are limited but dont shelter yourself..get out there and enjoy your life girl. We only live once..keep in touch and if you want to trade emails let me know...

PS. 6 treatments..LOL, forgot to answer that one. CHEMO BRAIN AGAIN..

Bozo
That's hilarious! So you must work at a bank? Wonder how that would fly! Ain't that the truth! Thinking positive, remaining strong & stubborn, changing habits, & finding humor in this seems to be a good path to follow.
I first told my 2 oldest. They didn't say too much. I think they may have been shocked as was I when the doc floored me with the news. After a day or so they started asking ?'s. Now the oldest has decided not to speak to me anymore, for different reasons. My only daughter (18) keeps up with what's going on. She too is a single mom & is going to college,(so Grammy gets to babysit)15mo.old, she's got a load herself. Anyway-I'm rambling...for the youngest, that was tough because 1st, he just started school the day before, then his birthday was in a few days, so I had to debate when to tell him, but yet before he heard it elsewhere. That was the first thing he asked me too. I wanted to cry because that was the first thing I had thought when I got the news, but somehow I mustered up the strenth to just say "I don't intend to, I plan to fight this, it may take a while and I'll be sick alot which is normal, but I'm gonna do it!" I tell him what's going on as it happens, try not to show fear, speak a language he can understand, and assure him that I'll be o.k. He freaked when I came home with no hair! Now his hair is longer than mine. What is it with these middle-schoolers and their long hair that has to hang in their face? Oh & did I mention the process in the morning blow drying it to perfection? Yes you are right, it's about time to stop "sheltering" myself. I did some volunteer work there for a while, but had to give it up. Well this was not the life I ordered for sure, so as you said, all I can do is take it one day at a time, learn from whatever message this is being sent to me, and try to live my life to the fullest each and every day of it left.I did say "try"! I usually set at least one goal a day to accomplish.
Sure, when I can figure out how to send a Private message, I will send you my e-mail, or if you know how, send it to me. That would be great!
6 down-5 to go! I think that's how many I will be doing too.
Bone Density test today went well. Bones are good. My spine could use some calcium though.
Tomorrow have the Muga Scan. Did you do that? Now, Friday I have an MRI for my liver. I was hoping to have the weekend free b/4 surgery Monday. Did you have a MRI? Don't know how they do either test. They have already done a Ct scan and Ultrasound on the darn thing, so I'm not sure how one more test is going to determine what it is. I can't help but to think this is going to lead to another biopsy eventually. What a busy week! I'm so sick of this crap! I never thought I'd say this but get me to chemo already so we can slay the beasts! That's my update for now.
Chat with ya soon!

aurora2009

Katz77 said:

Welcome Sam
Like yourself I'm new. I " hung" around CSN 4 a couple of wks and finally joined. I love it. Advice and helpful hints on everything. I am on my 2nd round of Taxol/Herceptin cocktails w 3 left. I never really had nausea, but a full gut kind of feel. I drink lots of gatorade, mainly bc I have other issues w low blood pressure. I degriss. I had "chemo" brain before chemo, I don't know what's going to happen w my brain cell now! Welcome and good luck w what I call " finding chemo". I'm bald, but I kind of like it. Less work and shampoo. lol Happy trails to you and ur family.

Oh Kat77
That was great, I was casually reading you post when you popped out with "finding Chemo". That gave me a full belly laugh. I didn't have chemo but there's has to be something to cancer brain too. Cause I swear I've got it. The other day I was trying to tell one my people where I wanted them to display the beach umbrellas, Instead I popped out with "beach trees", needless to say I got a bunch of weird looks, I just had to laugh, cause I've also renamed all 20 of them, lol.


Aurora

Cat64

aurora2009 said:

Oh Kat77
That was great, I was casually reading you post when you popped out with "finding Chemo". That gave me a full belly laugh. I didn't have chemo but there's has to be something to cancer brain too. Cause I swear I've got it. The other day I was trying to tell one my people where I wanted them to display the beach umbrellas, Instead I popped out with "beach trees", needless to say I got a bunch of weird looks, I just had to laugh, cause I've also renamed all 20 of them, lol.


Aurora

I'm so glad
you said that Aurora. I swear I was beginning to think I am infact "crazy"! Now I know I am not alone. I contributed my denseness to pre-chemo brain. It's like it knows it's coming so it's just trying to get a headstart to pre-warn me as to what I will be facing.
Beach Trees that's cute! :-)
Hugz,
Cathy

carol41

Cat64 said:

I'm so glad
you said that Aurora. I swear I was beginning to think I am infact "crazy"! Now I know I am not alone. I contributed my denseness to pre-chemo brain. It's like it knows it's coming so it's just trying to get a headstart to pre-warn me as to what I will be facing.
Beach Trees that's cute! :-)
Hugz,
Cathy

chemo-brain
I finished chemo in July . . . last time I saw my oncologist I asked him when I would get my brain back and I swear, with an absolutely straight face, he replied that I "should give it about a year" . . . NOOOooo . . . I want it NOW, please. Have jumped thru every hoop and
followed every order and suffered every indignity and now that it is finished,
I WANT MY BRAIN BACK!!

Sam726

carol41 said:

chemo-brain
I finished chemo in July . . . last time I saw my oncologist I asked him when I would get my brain back and I swear, with an absolutely straight face, he replied that I "should give it about a year" . . . NOOOooo . . . I want it NOW, please. Have jumped thru every hoop and
followed every order and suffered every indignity and now that it is finished,
I WANT MY BRAIN BACK!!

Chemo Brain Rocks!!
I am laughing at everyone and their "chemo brain" stories...makes me feel good to know im not the only one. This is one of the things that my doctor failed to tell me about. Keep em comin girls...i need a good laugh to get thru this.

Sam726

Cat64 said:

Bozo
That's hilarious! So you must work at a bank? Wonder how that would fly! Ain't that the truth! Thinking positive, remaining strong & stubborn, changing habits, & finding humor in this seems to be a good path to follow.
I first told my 2 oldest. They didn't say too much. I think they may have been shocked as was I when the doc floored me with the news. After a day or so they started asking ?'s. Now the oldest has decided not to speak to me anymore, for different reasons. My only daughter (18) keeps up with what's going on. She too is a single mom & is going to college,(so Grammy gets to babysit)15mo.old, she's got a load herself. Anyway-I'm rambling...for the youngest, that was tough because 1st, he just started school the day before, then his birthday was in a few days, so I had to debate when to tell him, but yet before he heard it elsewhere. That was the first thing he asked me too. I wanted to cry because that was the first thing I had thought when I got the news, but somehow I mustered up the strenth to just say "I don't intend to, I plan to fight this, it may take a while and I'll be sick alot which is normal, but I'm gonna do it!" I tell him what's going on as it happens, try not to show fear, speak a language he can understand, and assure him that I'll be o.k. He freaked when I came home with no hair! Now his hair is longer than mine. What is it with these middle-schoolers and their long hair that has to hang in their face? Oh & did I mention the process in the morning blow drying it to perfection? Yes you are right, it's about time to stop "sheltering" myself. I did some volunteer work there for a while, but had to give it up. Well this was not the life I ordered for sure, so as you said, all I can do is take it one day at a time, learn from whatever message this is being sent to me, and try to live my life to the fullest each and every day of it left.I did say "try"! I usually set at least one goal a day to accomplish.
Sure, when I can figure out how to send a Private message, I will send you my e-mail, or if you know how, send it to me. That would be great!
6 down-5 to go! I think that's how many I will be doing too.
Bone Density test today went well. Bones are good. My spine could use some calcium though.
Tomorrow have the Muga Scan. Did you do that? Now, Friday I have an MRI for my liver. I was hoping to have the weekend free b/4 surgery Monday. Did you have a MRI? Don't know how they do either test. They have already done a Ct scan and Ultrasound on the darn thing, so I'm not sure how one more test is going to determine what it is. I can't help but to think this is going to lead to another biopsy eventually. What a busy week! I'm so sick of this crap! I never thought I'd say this but get me to chemo already so we can slay the beasts! That's my update for now.
Chat with ya soon!

Tests
Yes, I believe when im done with this, Im getting that tattooed.."one day at a time"...I say it so much now but I truly believe it. As far as tests...had em all girlfriend. Yes, I had the MUGA..its no biggie. One of the easier ones. Breast MRI sucks...nothing like dangling your boobs through two holes while you rest your head on a piece of foam while listening to nuclear sirens go off in your ears for an hour. Like that isnt bad enough, you have to remain completely still...seriously, its 2009. Cant we come up with something better?
It is good your doc is doin all these tests..better safe then sorry. It is never wrecking getting all the results. Mine were all clean...so I am thankful. Also GOOD NEWS..my tumor has already shrunk since first treatment. I am gonna kick this cancers butt for sure...I just know it. Besides, I dont have a choice...I need to be around to embarrass my son through his high school years. Isnt that what parents do? Im really gonna get him when my hair falls out and I ride up to his school on my harley, bald!!
I dont know how to send private message...Ill figure it out. Might take me a while since brain is at about 50% right now, LOL..Take care

Cat64

Sam726 said:

Tests
Yes, I believe when im done with this, Im getting that tattooed.."one day at a time"...I say it so much now but I truly believe it. As far as tests...had em all girlfriend. Yes, I had the MUGA..its no biggie. One of the easier ones. Breast MRI sucks...nothing like dangling your boobs through two holes while you rest your head on a piece of foam while listening to nuclear sirens go off in your ears for an hour. Like that isnt bad enough, you have to remain completely still...seriously, its 2009. Cant we come up with something better?
It is good your doc is doin all these tests..better safe then sorry. It is never wrecking getting all the results. Mine were all clean...so I am thankful. Also GOOD NEWS..my tumor has already shrunk since first treatment. I am gonna kick this cancers butt for sure...I just know it. Besides, I dont have a choice...I need to be around to embarrass my son through his high school years. Isnt that what parents do? Im really gonna get him when my hair falls out and I ride up to his school on my harley, bald!!
I dont know how to send private message...Ill figure it out. Might take me a while since brain is at about 50% right now, LOL..Take care

Gotta run
to Home Depot, but I did figure it out in the wee hours of the a.m. so look in your inbox where you sign in.
Cat

Cat64

carol41 said:

chemo-brain
I finished chemo in July . . . last time I saw my oncologist I asked him when I would get my brain back and I swear, with an absolutely straight face, he replied that I "should give it about a year" . . . NOOOooo . . . I want it NOW, please. Have jumped thru every hoop and
followed every order and suffered every indignity and now that it is finished,
I WANT MY BRAIN BACK!!

Hi Carol
R U Kidding me?! 2 years of no normal brain function?? Hmmm...that may be a good thing, once I consider the thought a little more. May even be somewhat fun according to Aurora. I love the way you described your "process", that was good.
Cathy